Category Archives: Feast of the Lord

Technology was supposed to lead to less work, but instead we are busier than ever. Only the Bible’s recipe of rest will benefit us

Wednesday, December 12, 2012 | Michael Berg – israeltoday.co.il

Rest and action are two poles of existence. Whatever one is doing, one is either resting or exerting oneself. Exertion complements rest and rest complements exertion as day complements night and night complements day. The reader knows from universal experience, that exercise leads to a deeper sleep and that without resting, one cannot have the energy to act. Therefore, the question of primary importance, as with all pairs of opposites, is the question of balance.

The issue of balance between work and rest is epitomized in the difference between the Hebrew and the Greek approaches to time and place.

In Homer’s epics, the heroes fight battles and travel on voyages. The direction of activity starts from home and extends outward to the farthest reaches of the Earth.

In the case of the ancient Hebrews, their texts describe the conquest of a homeland and its settlement. The direction of activity is inwards. The goal is to return to the pre-fallen state of man wherein man lived in a garden and the point of life was to “settle it and guard it.” The ultimate messianic vision is that “every man would sit under his vine and under his fig tree.” The ultimate goal is to arrive at a state of tranquility wherein movement is unnecessary and time is of no consequence.

The goal of technology is to quicken movement, to go faster and farther, in less time and with less effort. Let us take a step back and look at the expectations for modern technology and how it would help us. Calculators were meant to replace slower and more tedious forms of computation. Cars and planes were invented to save the time and effort of lugging baggage and one’s self to various locations. In these respects, technology has succeeded.

However, everyone expected that technology would lead to shorter workweeks, but it has not. Ever since Henry Ford came up with the forty-hour work-week, nothing in North America has changed. Instead, technology has become invasive, eliminating the boundaries between work and the rest of one’s life, thereby increasing the length of the work-week to allow it to reach to within one’s private life.

Home is no longer a refuge from work and the time in our private lives has decreased.

The reason for this failure of technology to save time is that focusing on action will not increase rest. No matter how much one focuses on getting things done, there will always be more to do. In fact, the more one focuses on getting things done, the more things one finds to do!

The only solution is to focus on rest. A focused rest is different than a rest that is merely a gap between two activities. Just as it takes focus to be active, it takes focus to properly rest. It also takes an appreciation for rest. We must set aside time to rest, to just be and to not achieve. The key is in setting aside time both for rest and activity; and in this, the Hebrew approach is worthy of emulation.

As opposed to the Ancient Greeks, who had no day of rest, the Hebrews set aside a day for focused rest, the Sabbath. This day is not considered a break from the week, but the purpose of the week! On this day one does not merely take time off, but instead actively focuses on creating an atmosphere of rest. Electronic devices are completely forbidden by Orthodox Judaism to be used on the Sabbath.

The Sabbath also exists in Christianity, the premier child of both Greek and Hebrew civilization that has inherited practice and ideology from both. In abandoning religion, western society has abandoned its Hebrew heritage to exclusively focus on continuing the Hellenic pursuit of perpetual advancement.

Ancient Greece tired itself out and vanished. The Hebrews are still here. Was tranquility the secret for their longevity? Perhaps it was. Perhaps the wise reader would like to entertain the thought of a day without technology once a week — a day of tranquility.

Again YHVH spoke to Moses, saying, 34 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘On the fifteenth of this seventh month is the Feast of Booths for seven days to the Lord. 35 On the first day is a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work of any kind. 36 For seven days you shall present an offering by fire to YHVH. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation and present an offering by fire to YHVH; it is an assembly. You shall do no laborious work. Leviticus 23:33-36

Celebrate this year From sunset Sunday the 7th to sunset Monday the 8th of October

The Torah tells us that Sukkot is celebrated for 7 days and then there is a mysterious Holy Convocation on the 8th Day that stands on its own and is not officially part of Sukkot. During the 8th Day we do not sit in booths anymore! It is now tradition among the Jewish People to celebrate the Feast of Simcha Torah (rejoicing over the Torah) on the evening after the 8th Day. Originally Simcha Torah was celebrated at the same time of Shmini Atseret. It is the time of restarting the Annual Torah reading Cycle from Bereshi (genesis). This celebration is marked with great joy and dancing around the Torah. It reminds us of the celebrations during Brit Mila (Covenant of Circumcision) and Bar Mitsvah. We believe that the reason that we rejoice over the Torah on the 8th Day is because the Living Torah Yeshua HaMashiach was circumcised on that day. Born in Sukkot and circumcised 8 days later entering into the Eternal Abrahamic Covenant!

This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. Genesis 17:10

It behove us to remember that Messiah Himself was circumcised on the 8th day as every Jew is till this day. Especially during these times of rising anti -Jewishness and the defaming of the Covenant of Circumcision in various nations lately! Yeshua rose from the dead and we could still see the marks of the crucifixion! In the same way the marks of the Covenant of Circumcision were not erased! He remains Jewish to this day and is called “The Lion from the Tribe of Judah”

Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it;5 and one of the elders *said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5, 6

It is a sobering thought that a Circumcised Jew is the only one that can open the Book of Judgment!

This feast marks the real time of birth of Messiah and is also a prophetic representation of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb! It is the most joyous of feasts and all nations are commanded to celebrate it in the millennium lest a curse would befall them!

Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.17 And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, there will be no rain on them. Zechariah 14:16,17

It is also the feast of ingathering of the LAST HARVEST and it is portrayed in Revelation

22:17- “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come, and let the one who hears say “come. And let the one who is thirsty come, let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”

It will be a pure and holy bride restored to the position of royalty as Queen of Messiah, a royal priesthood and a holy nation that will be filled with His Glory! It will be this glorious Ecclesia (Church) that will bring in the LAST HARVEST OF THE NATIONS. And this bride will be completely FREE from Replacement Theology and will be completely GRAFTED INTO the Olive Tree of Israel. She will be like Ruth to the Jews and like Queen Esther on behalf of Israel! She will walk in the Glory followed by astounding signs, wonders and miracles. She will preach an uncompromising Gospel of Repentance and multitudes will turn from unrighteousness to holiness in a short time! This awesome Bride will present her King with many nations as SHEEP NATIONS! Her mark will be the Torah written in her heart and mind, and she will walk in burning love and holiness! Her very presence will cause principalities to shake and Babylon to fall! The marks of the Fall Feasts are;

REPENTANCE, FREEDOM AND RESTORATION!

“Arise and shine; for your light has come, and the glory of Yahveh has risen upon you. For behold darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; but Yahveh will rise upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3

This Scripture pertains to both the Bride of Messiah and to Israel when she turns back to Y’shua as a nation!

Y’shua is inviting His entire Body to come into the Fall Feasts. To turn from, compromise, lukewarm ness, pride and ungodliness and to become Pure and Holy! The shofars are already blowing to call the Bride to come home, to the original Apostolic, Jewish Foundations of the Faith!

A joyous Sukkot and Simcha Torah celebrations to all those who love Messiah and Israel. We invite you to celebrate Sukkot 2013 with us in Israel next year!

Leshana Habaa BYerushalayim. Next year in Jerusalem!

Yeshua is the Living Torah and we invite you to celebrate Him this Feast!

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Please pray for ALL Israel to get to know the Living Torah- Yeshua HaMashiach!

Welcome

Welcome to the Yom Kippur services. If this is your first time, or if you have not been to synagogue too often, no need to worry; many other people in the room are in the same boat.1 Plus, most of the natives are friendly and will be more than happy to help you out.

As you enter, make sure that you are appropriately dressed. For women, this means wearing a longish skirt and a conservative top. If you are married, you will want to cover your hair as well.

For men, make sure that you have your head covered. Most synagogues have a basket with kippahs at the door. As you look around the room, you will notice that most of the men are wearing a prayer shawl called a tallit (or tallis) draped over their shoulders. In most Ashkenazic communities, we start wearing them only after marriage. On Yom Kippur we wear our tallit for the entire duration of the services, so now is the right time to put yours on. In all likelihood, the synagogue has a rack with some spares that you can use.

You may also notice that many people are wearing white clothing, and some are even wearing a white robe called a kittel. This is because on Yom Kippur we are likened to angels. The angels do not eat, and neither do we. The angels devote themselves to praising G‑d, and so do we. The shroud-like kittel also reminds us that all life on earth comes to an end. If you do not have a kittel, don’t worry.

Now that you are all dressed up, you need a book. The Yom Kippur prayerbook—called a machzor—contains all the prayers and Torah readings for the entire day. If you are attending services at Chabad, chances are that the congregation will be using the red-bound machzor published by Kehot Publication Society. It has Hebrew and English texts, Hebrew on the right and the English translation on the left. Pick one up and make your way to your seat. Remember, in traditional Jewish services men and women sit separately.

Now that we are sitting, let me tell you what you can expect tonight. For your convenience, I will be pointing out the prayers as they appear in the Chabadmachzor. If you are using another edition, don’t worry; the pages may be different, but most of the prayers are the same.

In the front of the sanctuary, you will notice a large cabinet with a curtain draped over the front. Called an ark (or aron hakodesh), it contains the Torah scrolls, which are read during the services. We will be opening and closing it quite a lot during the next 25 hours. It is customary for people to stand whenever the ark is open. However, if you are not feeling up to it, you may sit as long as the Torahs have not been removed.

The prayers will be led by the cantor, also known as the chazzan. He will begin and end each paragraph in Hebrew out loud. There will be some parts of the services that only he will say, with everyone else responding as indicated in themachzor. The rabbi will also be speaking from time to time (exactly how much varies). In some congregations, the rabbi will announce the pages. In others, there will be a board with page numbers that will be updated as we go along.

If you are more comfortable in English, do say the prayers in that language. After all, prayer is a conversation between you and G‑d, and you need to know what you are saying.

Yom Kippur Eve

The evening service on Yom Kippur is divided into three parts:

Kol Nidrei

Maariv

Selichot

Kol Nidrei (page 35): “Kol Nidrei” means “all vows,” and is a formal declaration stating that any vows that we make unintentionally during the coming year should be considered null and void. The ark in the front of the synagogue is opened, and three Torahs are removed. Three men hold the Torahs near thechazzan, while he repeats the Kol Nidrei prayer three times.

In addition to its technical function of ensuring that we do not accidentally break our word, this sacred declaration is also our way of saying that we are coming to Yom Kippur with no strings attached. As we approach this special day, we tell ourselves and G‑d that we regret and distance ourselves from the wrong decisions that we humans inevitably make. The ancient, haunting melody of Kol Nidrei is one of the most memorable parts of the Yom Kippur service.

Maariv (page 43): Maariv is the evening prayer, which we recite on a daily basis. However, in honor of Yom Kippur there are several important additions and modifications (and on Friday night we start with special hymns to usher in the Sabbath, page 37).

Shema (page 44): As usual, the Maariv service begins with theShema and its accompanying blessings. The Shema, in which we declare G‑d’s unity and our fidelity to Him, is perhaps the most central of all Jewish prayers. The next line, “Baruch shem . . .”(“Blessed be the name . . .”), is normally whispered, because it is a pronouncement so holy that it really belongs to angels. But since today we are like angels, we make a point of saying it out loud for all to hear.

Amidah (page 47): The Shema is followed by the silent standing prayer, known as the Amidah. We stand facing the front of the synagogue with our feet together, and say the words quietly, in a whisper that only we can hear.

We’ll say the Amidah a record five times over the next 25 hours. Every time we say the Amidah on Yom Kippur, we conclude with an extensive confession. The confession lists the sins that we (may) have done this year, starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. As a tangible expression of regret, we strike our heart with our right fist for each sin. More important, however, is the personal, unscripted confession that we each say at this time, listing and regretting any misdeeds during the past year. (Remember: if we actually harmed someone, confession alone is not enough; we need to actually make amends by righting the wrong and asking the offended party for forgiveness.)

Selichot (page 57): Literally, “forgivenesses,” Selichot is a collection of poetically written prayers asking G‑d to forgive us on this day. The central theme of Selichot is the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy (p. 62), which G‑d shared with Moses at Mount Sinai. We will repeat these attributes dozens of times during the Yom Kippur service. Many of the Selichot are very intricate poetry, with quotations from many parts of the Bible woven together with Midrashic motifs in rhyming verses, often arranged according to the Hebrew alphabet. The Selichot conclude with another round of confessions, but this time we read them together, with the chazzan leading the way.

One last highlight is the Avinu Malkeinu (page 80), in which we address G‑d in a series of verses, each one beginning with “Our Father our King.” (This is omitted on Shabbat.)

Morning Services

Good morning and welcome back. The morning service (called Shacharit) starts off pretty much the way it does every Sabbath, and can be divided as follows:

Introductory Hymns

The Shema and Its Blessings

Amidah and Repetition

Torah Reading and Haftorah

Yizkor

Introductory Hymns (page 115): A selection of Psalms and other praises to G‑d, you can think of these as a “warmup” for the long run ahead. Look out for the words “Hamelech yoshev” (“The King sits,” page 135). The chazzanintroduces these words with an ancient melody, and chants them loudly with a touch of trepidation.

Shema (page 141): Like last night, we say the angelic proclamation of “Baruch shem” out loud.

Amidah and Chazzan’s Repetition (page 145): Unlike last night, after we say the silent prayer during the daytime, the chazzan will repeat it out loud. Thechazzan’s repetition is peppered with many additions. You will notice that for certain selections, those deemed especially powerful, we open the ark. Many of the additions are meant to be said responsively, as a joint effort between thechazzan and the congregation.

Last night, following the prayers, we said Selichot. During the day, the Selichot are incorporated into the chazzan’s repetition of the Amidah. Thus, our ten-page Amidah triples in size, and lasts from page 156 to page 190. And again, like last night, the Selichot are followed by the Avinu Malkeinu on page 190.

Torah Reading (page 198): All stand as two Torah scrolls are removed from the ark and brought to the bimah (raised table) in the middle of the sanctuary to be read. The bulk of the reading (page 202) tells of G‑d’s instructions to Israelon how to conduct the Yom Kippur service in the Holy Temple, where animal sacrifices were the focus of the day’s devotion. During the reading, a series of men are called up to say blessings over the Torah. This honor is known as having an aliyah. When the reading is over, the Torah is hoisted high in the air for all to see. We then take out a second scroll and read another small section of the Torah, where the day’s sacrificial order is mandated.

Haftorah (page 207): The Torah reading is followed by the haftorah, a selection from the Prophets. This morning it is a portion of the book of Isaiahwhich discusses returning to G‑d sincerely.

Yizkor (page 210): People are exiting the sanctuary, but it is not over yet. Rather, they are leaving because Yizkor is about to begin. Four times a year, a special memorial prayer is recited by those who have lost one or both of their parents. It is customary for all those whose parents are alive to leave the synagogue for the duration of this service. Many congregations also add memorials for the victims of the Holocaust. If you are fortunate enough to be among those who do not stay in for this prayer, do not wander too far, because it lasts only a few minutes.

Musaf (Page 215)

We are now about to start the second silent prayer of the day. By now, you know the drill. We face the front with our feet together, and read from pages 215–226. The prayer is again followed by the alphabetical confession known as the Al Cheit. (By now your stomach is probably starting to rumble. The best way to stave off hunger is by focusing on the prayers and their meaning. After Musaf, most synagogues break for a few hours, so hang in there . . .)

Again, the reader will repeat the silent prayer with significant additions. Here are three major landmarks that you will notice:

Unetaneh Tokef (page 283) is one of the best-known prayers of the day. It contains the chilling description of G‑d’s decrees for those who will not survive the year: who will perish by “water, who by fire, who by sword, who by hunger . . .” After those sobering pronouncements, we declare loudly (and, as you can imagine, with great sincerity) that teshuvah,tefillah and tzedakah (commonly translated as “repentance,” “prayer” and “charity”) avert the worst decree.

Bowing: You will notice that people are getting down on their hands and knees and prostrating themselves on the ground. No, they did not lose anything, and sorry, there are no snacks stashed down there. Rather, we bow down when we read the words “We bend the knee, bow down and offer praise before the Supreme King . . .” on page 245, and a few more during the Avodah.

What is the Avodah? Starting from page 246, we begin a blow-by-blow account of what actually took place in the Holy Temple on this day. The central figure in this narrative is the kohen gadol, the high priest, who performs much of the day’s service. This included bringing incense into the Holy of Holies, the inner sanctum, which even he would dare enter but one day a year. Another highlight was the two goats upon which he would draw lots. One goat would be sacrificed on the altar, and the other was sent out to the desert. Where does the bowing come into the picture? Well, in addition to slaughtering and burning the animals, the high priest would also say a confession upon each one. And when he would make that confession he would do so addressing G‑d with His sacred name, the one that no one else ever said. And when people would hear that, they would bow down in deference. When we read about that, we bow as well.

The Ten Martyrs (page 266): We just read all about the sacrifices, which have been defunct for the past 2,000 years. But are there truly no more sacrifices? How about the millions of Jews who have been killed throughout the ages simply because they were Jews? Are they not sacrifices? Indeed they are. The description of the Ten Martyrsgraphically depicts the horrific death of ten sages at the hand of an evil king 2,000 years ago.

Once again, the repetition of the Amidah is followed by the Al Cheit alphabetical confession, page 275.

Priestly Blessing (page 284): Congratulations! You’ve made it through the morning service. As a reward for your endurance, you will now receive a very special blessing. Known as Birkat Kohanim, this blessing can be given only by descendants of Aaron, the high priest. They bless the congregation with prosperity, divine favor and peace, using an ancient formula written in the Torah. You will notice the kohanim exit the synagogue to wash their hands before performing the blessing. During the actual blessing, they cover their upper bodies with their prayer shawls. It’s customary for men to cover their heads with their prayer shawls, and for small children to stand underneath their father’s tallit during the blessing.

Nap Time! Now is the time when most synagogues have a break. Get some fresh air and stretch your legs. If you can, take a little nap and build up some energy for the final stretch.

Minchah—Afternoon Service (page 299)

Torah Reading (page 304): This reading includes some of the most fundamental laws of the Torah: whom we are allowed to marry according to Jewish law. Judaism is all about action. And even on this most sacred day, when we feel and act like angels, we cannot forget the nuts and bolts of Torah life.

Haftorah (page 306): After the Torah is lifted high and set aside, we read thehaftorah: the Book of Jonah. One of the smallest but best-known books of the Bible, the story of Jonah is a great read, complete with a swashbuckling hero who gets swallowed by a fish. Don’t miss it. While it will be chanted in Hebrew, feel free to read it in English.

Amidah (page 310): This one follows the same pattern of those before it, as does the (somewhat shorter) repetition (pages 320–342) and the confessions that follow them both. Again, if it is not Shabbat, we say the Avinu Malkeinu.

Neilah—Final Prayer (page 347)

Neilah, literally “closing,” was thus named as it is said in the closing moments of the holy day, as the sun is setting and the gates of heaven are clanging shut. The Rebbe was wont to say that while the gates of heaven are closing, we are on the inside. Right now, each and every one of us is as close to G‑d as we get during our lifetime. Savor the moment, and think deeply into what you have done this past year, and what you want the coming year to look like.

This fifth and final Amidah of Yom Kippur (pages 350–357) is smaller than the others, with a truncated confession. The repetition, which begins on page 358, is unique in that the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy are repeated time and time again, as we cling to the last moments of the day when the windows of heaven are open.

By now, if you take a peek out the window, you will notice that the sun has set and the stars are peeking through the clouds. At this moment, the apex of our devotion, we all cry out together, “Shema Yisrael . . .”: “Hear O Israel, the L‑rd is our G‑d, the L‑rd is One.” We recite “Baruch Shem . . .” three times, and“Hashem Hu HaElokim” (“The L‑rd is G‑d”) seven times. As you say the words that thousand of Jewish martyrs have uttered before being killed for their steadfast devotion to G‑d and the Torah, imagine yourself literally giving your life for G‑d. Afterward, one long triumphant blast is sounded on the shofar, announcing the end of Yom Kippur.

It’s Not Over Yet

People may be making a mass exit toward the door to hit the break-fast, and if you’re feeling weak, feel free to join them. You’ll probably notice that some will remain in the synagogue to pray the evening service (Maariv), which consists of the Shema and its accompanying blessings, and the silent prayer. Afterwards, you will see people going outside to recite Kiddush Levanah, a blessing we say during the first half of each month recognizing the new moon.

You did it! You just spent the past 25 hours in total oneness with G‑d. Enjoy your break-fast, and savor this feeling of accomplishment.

Many have the custom to start working on their sukkah tonight, in order to go “from one mitzvah to the next.” Whatever you do, don’t let the inspiration of Yom Kippur go to waste. Resolve to do another mitzvah: perhaps you can start putting on tefillin every day, lighting Shabbat candles on Friday night, or attending synagogue services more regularly. Take Yom Kippur and bring it into the rest of your life.

MK Aryeh Eldad (Ichud Leumi) believes he has found a way for Israel to give Jews the freedom to pray at their holiest site, while avoiding Muslim violence. Jews should be granted certain times to ascend to the Temple Mount and pray, he said.

Eldad has submitted a bill that would set aside separate prayer hours for Jews and Muslims. His proposal coincided with a U.S. report criticizing Israel for failing to grant Jews freedom of worship on the Mount.

“The Temple Mount is the holiest place to the people of Israel, the place where the First and Second Temples stood,” Eldad said. “The Temple Mount is also a holy place to Muslims, where the Al-Aqsa Mosque stands, and the Temple Mount is special to Christianity as well.”

“In order to allow freedom of worship and the right to visit the Mount, special visiting days should be established for Jews and Muslims, and hours during which the Mount will be open only to Jews or only to Muslims,” he continued.

Eldad proposed a daily division that would allow each religious group to access the Temple Mount during its usual daily prayer times. Jews have three set prayer times on weekdays, while Muslims have five.

In addition, he proposed giving each group access on its holidays. Jews would have full access on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, the first and last days of Sukkot and Passover, Shavuot, and Tisha B’Av. He listed several Muslim holidays on which Muslims would have full access, among them Id al-Fitr, Id al-Adha, and Ashura.

When holidays overlap, he said, the day would be split between the two faiths.

Eldad’s proposal is reminiscent of the arrangement in the Tomb of the Patriarchs (Maarat Hamachpelah) in Hevron. There, the sacred hall over the burial place of the Biblical patriarchs and matriarchs is split between Jews and Muslims during the year, with members of each faith having access to half of the tombs. On select Jewish holidays, Jews have full access to the building while Muslim worshipers are barred, and on Muslim holidays, the opposite.

Muslim leaders are highly unlikely to support the initiative. The Temple Mount is currently under the control of the Muslim Waqf, and Jewish prayer is forbidden at the site year-round. Muslim leaders have often accused Israel of plotting against the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Arab League recently warned that any perceived threat to the mosque could destabilize the entire region.

Turn to freedom our captivity and restore our fortunes, O YHVH, as the streams in the the Negev (South), are restored by the torrents. Psalms 126:4 AMP

Shabbat shalom dearly beloved:

This coming Shabbat we are celebrating the Feast of Passover and Matsa (Unleavened Bread) for seven days. We rejoice in Yeshua being our Passover Lamb through which both Jew and Gentile can be free from the bondage of sin and escape the coming judgment!

Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us. 1 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

We remember that all of Israel was a slave in Egypt for 430 years until YHVH heard our cries and sent us a deliverer from among our people by the name of Moses to confront the wicked rule of Egypt on our behalf. Finally after 10 astounding plagues against Egypt YHVH set us free to start our journey back to our Covenant Land of Israel. We call this the Exodus and indeed the whole story is in the book of Exodus in the Holy Scriptures. We are commanded to celebrate Passover and Unleavened Bread forever!

And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to YHVH throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever. Exodus 12:14

ONE LAST CRY

And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to Elohim. So Elohim heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Exodus 2:23,24

There is one last cry of the Jewish People to be released from bitter bondage of exile. This is the Cry of the Anusim. There is still one large Exodus awaiting the Jewish People. This is the Last Exodus, the Exodus of the Sephardic Jews that lost their identity due to the Spanish Inquisition since 1492.

And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel, who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev. Obadiah 20 NASB

There are a people on earth that are becoming known at the speed of light! These are a hidden Lost and forgotten people that until recently not many knew about or even gave them a thought or a minute of prayer. The most surprising fact about these people is that they are descendants of Spanish Jews that lost their identity due to the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition (from 1492) that forced them to either convert to Christianity or be expelled out of Spain after 500-1000 years of living there.

A few of them, like my family chose to flee Spain relinquishing all our possessions but not being willing to relinquish our identity as Jews. Many more yielded to the threats and converted reluctantly while keeping their Jewishness under- ground. These were called the Conversos or the Crypto Jews. There was a large number of Portuguese Jews that were not even given the option to decide whether to convert or no, they were simply baptized en masse in the central square of Lisbon against their will. These are called the ANUSIM.

The ANUSIM are those who were forcibly converted in Spain or in Portugal against their will therefore they kept their Jewish traditions under penalty of death.

BNEI ANUSIM- THE DESCENDANTS OF THE ANUSIM

Then you will say in your heart, ‘who has begotten these for me, since I have been bereaved of my children and am barren, an exile and a wanderer? And who has reared these? behold, I was left alone; from where did these come?’” Isaiah 49:21 NASB

Statistics tell us that there are about 60 Million descendants of the general population of the Conversos, those Spanish Jews that decided to convert rather than be expelled from Spain. They carry well known Latin names such as Perez, Gonzalez, Lopez, Hernandez , Olivares and others that end in ES or EZ , S or Z at the end like Ruiz, Diaz and many more!

However among those 60 Million descendants there are a certain number of them that we would call the Anusim because they did not choose to convert, they were forced to do so and they kept the traditions of our ancestors alive yet with time (over 500 years!) they forgot their identity but the traditions remained. Many of them light candles on Friday night (start of Shabbat) and they do not why, or put a white table cloth and have a festive meal and do not know why, they mostly marry among themselves, keep some sort of version of Passover and again do not know why.

These traditions were kept at great cost. If any Christian-Catholic neighbor would notice them, they could report it to the Inquisition authorities, the Auto de Fe or the moving tribunal of the inquisition. They in turn would interrogate the culprit which would most likely end being burn alive in the central square of the city after horrendous tortures and terrible humiliations. The Auto de Fe of the Inquisition moved all over Spain but also it travelled to North and South America, to the new continent discovered by Cristopher Columbus. This Auto de Fe would reach all the way to countries such as Peru, Mexico and Colombia.

Columbus was a Christian from a Jewish family that had converted much before the Spanish Inquisition started. Contrary to most beliefs, what moved him to do his voyages to discover new land for the Crown of Spain was not his patriotism but rather his concern for his Jewish People. In fact all of his journeys were funded not by Spanish money but by Jewish money of some prominent Jews that supported him so he could fill his boats with Converso-Jews (New Christians as they called them) or Marranos (meaning “pigs” as they were also called). Columbus purpose was to take these Converso Jews as far as possible from the ever seeing eyes of the Spanish Inquisition in order to rescue them from its grip. Nevertheless eventually the Auto de Fe began to visit all the new lands and colonies established by Columbus and his peers so the terror continued throughout the Americas, both North and South America.

THE END TIME RESTORATION

For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. Ezekiel 36:24

In the last 20 years YHVH has been moving to restore these lost Jews, the Anusim to the bosom of Israel; both to their identity as Jews and to the Land of Israel. I was sent in 1994 to Toledo in Spain where the Spanish Inquisition started and from where my Sephardic Ancestors were expelled. Sepharad is the Biblical term for Spain and a Sephardic Jew is a Spanish Jew. At the time I did not know that I was interceding for the Anusim as I was repenting for the sins of my Spanish Jewish ancestors and also mourning the loss and the horrors that they suffered. I prophetically called them home to Israel and to the God of Israel! A while later the Ruach Adonai (Spirit of the Lord) revealed to me that I was prophetically calling the Anusim home. I believe that this powerful time of heart breaking intercession in Toledo began to create a Reality of Restoration and therefore the Return of the Anusim was set in motion first in the spirit and then in the natural!

In 2002 I was led by the Spirit to do the first Prophetic Convocation in Israel for the Restoration of the Sephardic Jews. I was joined by Dr. Dell Sanchez who has written two very important books on the subject: The Last Exodus and Alyah. He, himself is a son of Anusim (Ben Anusim) and has been committedly working for the restoration of our people. It was during this prophetic convocation that I cried out to YHVH to give us 6 Million Anusim (a tithe of the 60 Million!) to return to Zion and to settle the Negev!

6 Million lost Sephardic Jews as a restitution for the 6 Million Jews that we lost during the Nazi Shoa (Holocaust) in Germany and all of Europe during WW2!

HASTENING THE ANUSIM’S RESTORATION!

Then said the YHVH unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it. Jeremiah 1:12 KJV

However the restoration of the Anusim has been very slow and actually too slow. The Israeli authorities that are fast recognizing the existence of the Anusim, do not allow them to make Alyah (return, come up and immigrate to Zion) without them being converted into Orthodox Judaism. A few Anusim have done this conversion that is quite long and arduous and it certainly cannot answer the need of conversion of millions of them. In fact converting them to Orthodox Judaism is a type of violation since most of Israel is not Orthodox and these Anusim have been forced to convert before to a religious system. We must understand that being a Jew is both an ethnic issue as well as a belief system in the Torah as given to Moses. However among us Jews there are many expressions of this belief system and Orthodox Judaism (being the most extreme) is only ONE of them!

Also among the Jews that have been allowed to make Alyah (immigrate) there are hundreds of thousands of them that are not religious in any form. In the 1990’s after the fall of the iron curtain about 1 Million of Russian Jews returned to the Land of Israel! The majority of them had absolutely no religious upbringing and had no knowledge of their own Jewish history or traditions nevertheless they were accepted in the Land as equal fellow Jews without any need of conversion!

Moreover in the 60’s there was a large group of people that called themselves “The Black Hebrews” from the USA that claimed to be part of the tribe of Judah that went into exile after the Fall of Jerusalem to Rome in year 70 AD. Though they were Christians, they fought and they won and they are now residing in the Land of Israel without any need for conversion. They live today in the Negev town of Dimonah leading their own lifestyle as a very close sect with its own traditions.

None of these were required to convert so why the Anusim?

The Anusim’s Return will lead to Messiah’s Return

And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev. The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau, and the kingdom will be YHVH’s. Obadiah 20, 21

Satan is deathly afraid of the Anusim. The return of the Sephardic Jews to Israel and their settling in the Negev is the last sign before Messiah’s return! If he manages to delay or obstruct the return of the Captives of Jerusalem from Sepharad (Spain), he will manage to delay or obstruct the return of Messiah to rule and reign for 1000 years!

Anusim or Islam?

And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev. Obadiah 20b

The Negev is the South Desert of Israel and it comprises 55% of the land.

According to very up to date internal statistics, it is largely known by the government of Israel that the Negev is in danger. If we do not settle the Negev with Jews and Israelis at the speed of light we will lose most of it to Islam! The Bedouins, the nomadic tribes that have settled all the different deserts of the Middle East are fast becoming militant Muslims, are building mosques in the Negev and are squatting over large portions of Israel’s land claiming ownership. They are also reproducing very fast as there is no birth control among them. They are constantly attacking and robbing the already established Israeli farms and some framers are hanging on a thread almost ready to relinquish the land! Statistics predict that in about seven (7!) years from now the Negev may be predominantly Moslem. This would pose a very real threat to the existence of Israel and to cities such as Beersheba, Arad, Dimona and Eilat that would be completely cut off the rest of the country!

Yet YHVH said that the captives of Jerusalem that were in Sepharad (the Anusim!) will possess the cities of the Negev and not the Moslems!

The reason for this dangerous state of affairs is the reluctance of the Israeli government to receive the Anusim quickly without any need of conversion at all just like the Russian Jews were! There are many thousands of them that would be willing to come and make Alyah immediately if the doors of Israel were opened!

HEAR THE CRY OF THE ANUSIM!

For the sake of YHVH’s Prophetic Word to be fulfilled and the preservation of the Negev (55% of the land of Israel) as Israeli we must act and we must act quickly! Seven years is not a long time!

Can you hear the Cry of the Anusim?

Can you hear the Cry of the Negev?

Can you hear the Cry of YHVH?

Can you hear the Cry of Yeshua wanting to return?

He will only return after the Sephardic-Anusim return to their people and to their land and possess the cities of the Negev!

The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau, and the kingdom will be the YHVH’s. Obadiah 21

What are we assigned to do to hasten their return and the return of Messiah?

We are assigned to facilitate this End Time Move through:

Prayer Towers in the Negev

Publications to the nations

Preparation of the Anusim teaching Jewish Roots, Jewish history and Hebrew

Publicity to influence the Israeli government

PRAYER MOVES MOUNTAINS

Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Mark 11: 24 NASB

The most urgent assignment is to establish THREE Prayer towers immediately in the Negev.

Only a committed Prophetic Prayer Movement will be able to release the full Exodus of the Anusim back home! Everything must be established in the spirit before it manifests in the natural! That is the order of Yah’s (God’s) Kingdom!

And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of YHVH. Ezekiel 36:1 NASB

Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Mark 11:23 NASB

Our Prophetic Prayer/Praise Presence will halt the advance of Islam and will create a bridge for the return of the Anusim. It will move on the heart of the Israeli government because the hearts of kings is in the hand of YHVH!

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of YHVH; He turns it wherever He wishes. Proverbs 21:1

We must establish a headquarters for the Ministry in Ashkelon, the North Gate of the Negev, another prayer Tower in Beersheba the Capital of the Negev (that was released from Moslem Turkey by the Anzacs in 1914) and we must establish firmly the already existing Prayer Tower in Eilat, the South Gate of the Negev. We have sowed spiritually into these three key locations but need to establish a solid and powerful prayer presence that will be like torrents in the wasteland, torrents of the Spirit!

AFIKIM BANEGEV PRAYER PROJECT

Restore our captivity, O YHVH, as the streams in the South (Afikim Banegev). Psalms 126:4 NASB

The Word for Streams or Torrents in the Negev is AFIKIM BANEGEV which also means inroads in the Negev, making a way where there seems to be no way.

The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; like the crocus. And the ransomed of YHVH will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:1 NASB

Can you hear the Cry of the Anusim for us to make AFIKIM BANEGEV and facilitate a way for them to return?

Turn to freedom our captivity and restore our fortunes, O YHVH, as the streams in the South (AFIKIM BANEGEV), are restored by the torrents (of prayer!). Psalms 126:4 AMP

Israel is on high alert going into the Passover holiday after a pair of Grad rockets fired from Egypt exploded in Eilat early on Thursday.

It was the first the rocket attack on Israel from Egypt since the collapse of the regime of Hosni Mubarak more than a year ago.

However, In August of 2010, five Katyusha rockets hit the city of Eilat. Two exploded in open areas and three fell into the sea. No injuries were reported.

Rockets were also fired at Eilat in April of 2010. One landed in the sea, and one hit the Jordanian city of Aqaba.

Nonetheless, Israel placed the IDF on its highest state of alert following a situation assessment by senior commanders after Thursday’s attack. The alert comes as thousands of visitors begin arriving in the resort town of Eilat for the holiday.

The move came just one week after IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz said Israel’s military would remain at full strength – but not high alert – over Passover. Gantz’s decision ended the Israeli tradition of the army “going on vacation” for Passover.

The head of Eilat police said explosions were heard in Eilat soon after midnight. Police found the remains of one rocket in a construction site, about 400 meters from a residential area.

“Based on our working assumptions and the (rocket) range, yes, [the rocket was fired from Sinai],” the police chief told reporters.

He added that police were searching for more rockets that may have landed.

The Israel-Egypt border had been relatively quiet since the two countries signed a peace agreement in 1979, but security officials say the Sinai has become a staging ground for terrorism against Israel since Mubarak’s ouster in Februay 2011.

Mahmed Abu Aadram, an operative in the Hamas terror organization operating in Sinai, was captured as he attempted to infiltrate into Israel with other terrorists.

In August 2011, terrorists from Sinai staged a cross-border ambush of a civilian Israeli bus on Route 12 near Eilat, killing 8 Israelis.

In early March, Israel uncovered a plan by the Popular Resistance Committees to attempt a new attack on Route 12. Israel killed the PRC head – Zuhir Qaisi – In an airstrike, which led to a dramatic exchange of fire as Gaza’s terror gangs fired over 200 rockets at Israel’s southern communities.